Altenator died again after 2 years of purchase from 'quality GM parts'.
Though well washed and waxed, its rusting pretty well.
Car doesn't even run anymore, sits in the driveway.
The water pump is leaking.
The engine overheats.
The engine fans sometimes stay on when you turn off the car.
Transmission is trippy.
Interior lights flicker.
Replaced the brakes 3 times in 5 years.
Electronic windows get stuck open at times.
Air conditioning only works on the left side of the car.
GM built a god awful car when they assembled this piece. The thing couldn't even get me past 99k. I could write a book on all the things wrong with the car...
First off it didn't even make it to 100k before the dealer said the thing is shot. I treated it like my baby, but that didn't matter. The altinator was replaced 2 years ago and now it is broken again. (great product GM!).
To just focus on the design flaws, the car is very heavy and the shocks and suspension they used on it isn't adaquate. The car leans into turns which makes your feel like your about to come out of your seat. Plus it has a rough drive, you will feel every bump.
The heating system isn't sufficient for cold Vermont winters (yet the car was made in Canada)
The headlights are so dim. It is a scary to drive it down country roads at night. My dad almost crashed it in a ditch because of this.
The only good qualities this car has is the engine is strong (when it chooses to run) and the radio is decent. That's about it.
Never, I mean NEVER buy this product.
I like my Z34, 1997 Monte Carlo. My M.C. currently has 118K on it.
I haven't babied the car, with one exception, I always park it in a safe place (mostly large, protected spaces); so as to avoid dings from other car's doors.
City stop and go mileage (on 2 mile trips to 7-11)11-12 MPG. On the highway, 27-29 MPG.
Not knowing where the man "who hates" his M.C. lives, I would say he hasn't babied his car at all. From his descriptions, attention to service was not high on his priority list.
I've personally seen trashed Monte Carlos that are still running at 185K, and the owners told me their cars are still fast; I've been at a Chevy dealership when they've come in for service; neglect is not to baby ones car.
Mine is red with black leather with all the available factory options. It is always one of the best looking cars in the parking lot when we go shopping; often it's the best.
On the HWY is wants to get up and go. Trips between California and Texas, Texas and Monterrey, MX it delivers the best mileage.
Aside from a couple of electrical bugs in the beginning (PROM) glitches, the Monte Carlo is the best car I've ever owned. I will never sell it or trade it in. This Monte Carlo is my own personal NASCAR. I'm as proud of it today as I was eleven years ago when I bought it, at Puente Hills/Leo Hoffman Chevrolet, La Puente, California. So there, you with the so-called rust bucket in your drive-way crying for TLC. I rest my case.
Ron (Carguy) Shaw.
I have a 97 Z34 as well. Don't get me wrong, the car is balls to the wall fast for a late 90 V6 coming out of the states, but the fuel system has given me problems since I bought it. I had the car for 3 weeks when the fuel pump went out, and so I therefore couldn't afford to fix it ATM, so I drove my fox body Mustang for about 3 months.
Well I went and bought the new fuel pump, and had it replaced by a very good mechanic, the car checked out to be OK, but within 3 days of replacing the pump, it again is giving me problems. Just tonight the Service Engine Soon light came on and flashed while the car was "Vapor Locking" or that is how it felt.
The car, aside from this problem, is great. I was told that keeping the car above 1/4 tank would resolve my fuel system issues, and since the car hasn't been below 1/2. I can't quite figure out why the fuel pump keeps crapping out, possibly a computer or ECM problem I suppose.
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